If you want to keep your internet activities more private and secure, turning on DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is a smart step! This guide will show you how to do it easily on Windows 11.
What is DNS over HTTPS (DoH)?
Your computer uses something called DNS (Domain Name System) to find websites on the internet, like translating a website name (example.com) into an address it can find. Normally, these lookups happen without encryption, which means others can see or even change what websites you’re trying to visit.
DNS over HTTPS (DoH) makes these lookups private by sending them securely over HTTPS — the same way your browser talks to websites safely. This helps protect you from people spying on your internet or changing where your computer thinks websites are.
How to Enable DNS over HTTPS on Windows 11
Follow these simple steps to turn on DoH on your Windows 11 PC:
- Open Settings: Click the Start button (the Windows logo) at the bottom left of your screen, then click the Settings gear icon.
- In the Settings window, click Network & internet from the menu on the left side.
- Click on the network you are using. If you’re on a wired connection, click Ethernet. If you use Wi-Fi, click Wi-Fi instead.
- Scroll down to find DNS server assignment. Click the Edit button next to it.
- In the Edit DNS settings window, change the setting from Automatic (DHCP) to manual by clicking the dropdown.
- Turn on the switch for IPv4 or IPv6 depending on what you want to set (you can do both).
- Type in the DNS addresses you want to use (see the list below for popular options).
- Under Encryption, select Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS).
- Click Save to apply the settings.
Popular DNS Servers You Can Use
Here are some trusted DNS servers that support DoH. You can use either IPv4 or IPv6 addresses depending on your setup.
| DNS Provider | Type | Preferred DNS | Alternate DNS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Public DNS (IPv4) | IPv4 | 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 |
| Cloudflare (IPv4) | IPv4 | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 |
| Quad9 (IPv4) | IPv4 | 9.9.9.9 | 149.112.112.112 |
| Google Public DNS (IPv6) | IPv6 | 2001:4860:4860::8888 | 2001:4860:4860::8844 |
| Cloudflare (IPv6) | IPv6 | 2606:4700:4700::1111 | 2606:4700:4700::1001 |
| Quad9 (IPv6) | IPv6 | 2620:fe::fe | 2620:fe::fe:9 |
After saving, your DNS settings will look like this:
Tip: If you use Wi-Fi or have more than one network connection, repeat these steps for each one to keep all your internet traffic protected.
Summary
- Turning on DNS over HTTPS (DoH) helps keep your internet browsing private and safe.
- It stops others from spying on or changing the websites you visit.
- You can pick from popular DNS services like Google, Cloudflare, or Quad9.
- The setup is easy and done right inside Windows 11’s Network settings.
- Remember to update all your network connections for full protection.
If you want to learn more about DNS over HTTPS, check out this simple Cloudflare explanation page.
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